Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Anoka Technical College Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is a 71-credit, two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). www.acoteonline.org

Important Dates

TEAS testing is available at the Anoka Technical College Testing Center.

Orientation/Registration for Students Accepted in Program

Date

Start

Rm

Prerequisites

All required documentation must be submitted in person; Enrollment Services will be unable to receive them via mail, online or fax.

Admission criteria:

Option #1
1. Apply to Anoka Technical College and be admitted to the college
2. Complete appropriate test scores and the Test of Essential Academic Skills for Allied Heath (ATI-TEAS).
3. Certificate of Attendance from Information Session

Option #2: Students who have Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
1. Apply to Anoka Technical College and be admitted to the college
2. Submit an official transcript of Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
3. Certificate of Attendance from Information Session

Background Study

Minnesota state law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility have a background study conducted by the state. A student who is disqualified as a result of a background check will not be allowed to enter the program major. A student must receive a “Background Study Clearance” within 90 days preceding the start of clinical or fieldwork courses to be placed at a partnering facility. Any student failing to receive clearance will be disqualified from enrollment in the course. Arrests, charges, or convictions of criminal offenses may cause a student to fail a background study. If a student is disqualified, the student has the right to request reconsideration of the disqualification. It is the responsibility of the student to request consideration by the MN Department of Health Commissioner if he or she chooses to do so. An applicant is considered to be disqualified while in the reconsideration process.

COTA 1000, Introduction to Occupational Therapy, is a prerequisite for all other OTA program courses. All required coursework must be successfully completed before participating in Level 2 Fieldwork experiences.
[1] The prerequisite to this course is HLTH 1005, Anatomy and Physiology
[2] The prerequisite to this course is PSYC 1605, Abnormal Psychology or taken concurrently.
[3] The prerequisite to this course is COTA 1220, Pediatric Principles
[3] The prerequisite to this course is COTA 1220, Pediatric Principles & Techniques and COTA 1255,
Physical Dysfunction Principles & Techniques I.
[4] Requires a current CPR for the Healthcare Worker Card.

Certification

Certification Exam

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by theNational Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion, graduates will be Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA).

Most states, including Minnesota, also require licensure in order to practice occupational therapy. However, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to take the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.

Pass Rates on the National Certification Exam

NBCOT pass rates on the Certification Exam are indicated on the OTA Home Page and can also be accessed by clicking on the NBCOT hyperlink.

Fieldwork

In the second year of the program, each student will participation in two Level I Fieldwork placements during the third semester and two Level II Fieldwork Placements in the fourth semester.These experiences will be assigned from a wide variety of facilities including outstate and local hospitals, extended care facilities , school districts, day treatment centers, residential facilities and other community agencies.

Enrollment in the fieldwork classes may be limited due to the availability of fieldwork sites. No out of state fieldwork experiences will be arranged. Students may be expected to travel up to 50 miles due to availability of fieldwork sites.

Before starting the Level II Fieldwork , all required course work of the OTA program must be completed with a minimum grade of a "C," and the student must have a 2.0 grade point average. Level II fieldwork must be completed within 12 months of completing the required academic coursework.

Prior to these experiences, the student will:

Complete a Health Information sheet

Sign a Hepatitis B form

Receive a Mantoux test (a positive result requires a chest x-ray)

Complete a background study

Other items as assigned

Prior to starting the Level I Fieldwork, the student will:

Secure a current CPR for the healthcare worker card.

An individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate in the fieldwork experiences.

Transportation to fieldwork facilities will be the responsibility of each student. Some of the facilities may be reached by public transportation.

Students are expected to be professional regarding their attitude, behavior, and appearance. The student will be required to get a student I.D. card and carry professional liability insurance. Student professional liability insurance will be purchased by the group at the start of the second year of the program.

Graduation Requirements

All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, diploma or certification must meet the grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. Please contact your advisor for any further program graduation requirements.

Transfer Opportunities

To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College programs or into another college, please visit:

Industry Information

Young or old, we all have a job to do–the job of living. Learning, growing, playing, working, managing our homes, and caring for our families and ourselves are among the “occupations” of life.

Sometimes physical, emotional, or other challenges prevent people from participating fully in the job of living. Stroke, injury, depression, and developmental disabilities, for example, can make it difficult for people to do everyday tasks or be as active and as independent as they’d like.

Occupational therapy, a vibrant, growing profession, makes it possible for people to regain and/or maintain independence and to enjoy life to its fullest. By choosing a career in occupational therapy, you will make a difference in the lives of others.

Occupational therapy assistants work with the supervision of registered occupational therapists to provide hands-on services to children and adults who are learning new ways to succeed in the occupations of life or maintain their current healthy lifestyle. Students today can look forward to dynamic careers working in varied settings with people of all ages. Many practitioners help children thrive in the “occupations” of childhood – learning, playing, and growing. Some work in schools with students who have learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Others work with children who have physical or cognitive problems in outpatient clinics.

Practitioners also work with individuals in their homes, community centers, work settings, day treatment centers, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and/or continuing care communities. In these settings, practitioners may support people who have difficulty performing the “occupations” of life.

Links

“The Occupational Therapy Assistant teachers at Anoka Technical College genuinely care. If you talk to them [about your unique situation], they will work with you so you can keep learning. They are truly invested in making sure each of their students is the best he or she can be, which is why employers want Anoka Tech graduates.”